The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's reading suggests dispelling negativity by focusing attention on gratitude for what you have. Some tools for changing a negative attitude to a positive on suggested in this reading are attending an Al-Anon meeting or contacting another Al-Anon member to share. Such interchanges can result in a change of perspective. The Al-Anon member may be able to see their situation or self more clearly and positively. "I believe I have a beautiful spirit that has been created for some purpose."
The reading goes on to suggest that a change of attitude from negative to positive is kept by applying this thinking to people, places and things encountered throughout one's day. "The perspective I've gained by doing so has shown me that some of the most difficult times in my life have produced the most wonderful changes.
Today's Reminder: It may be difficult to break long established patterns of depression, doom-saying and complaining, but it's worth the effort. I'll replace a negative attitude with a positive one today.
I have always felt a sense of hope when listening to a chairperson at an Al-Anon meeting reading the meeting welcome. It states "so much depends on our own attitudes, and as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we find it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives." As a newcomer, just hearing our meeting welcome read often helped me to feel less discouraged and even a bit hopeful that my life could improve if I kept coming back and worked Al-Anon. Although life will never be without challenges, I'm grateful to have tools to keep progressing in my recovery, to recognize growth from experiences and look forward to each day.
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Thanks TT for your service and important share. One of the many gifts of this program is that often I can change negativity, or a catastrophe, into something positive or less severe. The slogans are very helpful to me in recognizing hope, how important is it, one day at a time, etc. I spent much of my life in fear and feeling doomed. Now I can see I do have the power to influence my feelings by my thinking, at least some of the time. It sounded ridiculous to me in my early alanon days, but with practice and perseverance, I have some control over myself. Progress not perfection and grateful. :)
